Along the Boston Marathon route

I've been thinking a lot about Boston lately for various reasons, but I thought today would be an appropriate day to highlight the things I miss the most about the area, since it's Marathon Monday and all.

Cambridge, MA

Ice cream all day, every day
I don't know what it is about ice cream, but everyone in New England eats it, 24/7. Before moving to the area, I had ice cream only occasionally, mostly in the summer time and at parties in cake form. But that was it. Hardly ever past autumn, and hardly ever before late spring. Now I crave ice cream at all times. Especially "New England ice cream", which is more or less homemade and hard. Mmm, J.P. Lick's, I miss you so. Luckily we have a couple of Emack & Bolio's in the city.

Marathon Monday / Patriots' Day
This is one state holiday I thoroughly got into while I was there. Screaming and cheering for marathon runners in the morning, drinking beer or chai at midday and napping in the afternoon.

Autumn
For as long as I can remember, I've associated autumn with New England. Even before I lived in New England. It's just as beautiful and glorious as it's made out to be. Take a drive through Weston, MA in the early evening in the fall with a cup of warm cider and you will see what I mean. Or walk down Charles Street in Beacon Hill on a fall morning.

Kelly's Roast Beef (for seafood) at Revere Beach

New England clam chowder
Oh, how I miss thee. I think Legal Sea Foods and Boston Chowda do it best. I was shocked to find years later in Washington state that a thin, watery cream-based chowder could be just as good (Ivar's).

Newbury Street
There wasn't one specific thing I liked about Newbury Street, but you can find almost anything you want there. Oh, Charley's, I miss your spinach artichoke dip. Croma, you're gone now, but I never had anything that was less than tasty. Sonsie's. And to give Boylston Street a shoutout, THE POUR HOUSE. I miss you lots and lots. Especially your mojito ... it was the best I've had.

Boston ... I thought it was overrated when I was there and now I miss it. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.